PARMA, Idaho — Parma High School tennis coach Jess Eddy has added another state championship to a remarkable four-decade legacy, capturing his 24th state tennis title — a milestone that players, assistant coaches, and community members say reflects far more than wins and losses.
A Program Built From Scratch
Eddy’s path to becoming one of Idaho’s most accomplished high school coaches was anything but planned. He began his coaching career in Parma in 1969, working with the wrestling program. When the tennis coach resigned midseason in 1986, parents of players approached Eddy and asked him to step in.
“My son was playing tennis, and the coach that they had resigned right in the middle of the year,” Eddy said. “Some of the parents came and asked me if I’d take the program. And I said I know nothing about it.”
Despite that hesitation, Eddy accepted — and over the following 40 years turned Parma’s tennis program into a consistent force in Idaho high school athletics. Competing out of a small Canyon County community, the Parma program has earned a reputation that extends well beyond its size.
Championship Mindset in a Small Canyon County Town
Parma intentionally schedules matches against larger schools, a strategy Eddy says raises the program’s competitive level year after year. That philosophy paid off in the most recent state tournament, where the Panthers outlasted opponents and claimed the title.
Junior Max Goodson took the individual singles championship, and described the victory as a reflection of the work both he and his coaches invested throughout the season. Mixed doubles player Treyson Roche said the team pushed through tough matchups, including a win over a squad that reportedly had not lost all year.
“We kind of battled through it,” Roche said. “We were able to beat a team that I don’t think had been beat all year.”
Junior Tara Johnson said the coaching staff’s influence went beyond technique and strategy. “It seems like some practices will almost have like a life lesson,” Johnson said. “I think it prepares us for life outside of high school.”
Coaches Focus on Character, Not Just Wins
Assistant coach Larry Nielsen, who has worked alongside Eddy for more than two decades, said the program’s success stems from doing things the right way. “It’s not about the wins,” Nielsen said, “but he gets the wins because he does things right.”
Assistant coach Alan Weber, who also farms in the Parma area, echoed that sentiment. “Becoming a winner is more than just winning as a sport,” Weber said, “and that’s what we try to work for.”
Eddy himself said the championships, while meaningful, are not what drive him. The relationships he forms with student-athletes — particularly those who might not receive recognition anywhere else — are what matter most.
“It’s nice to have the state champions,” Eddy said. “But some of those kids that don’t get much recognition in any way, it’s nice years later hearing from them saying, ‘Coach, you changed my life in some way.'”
Impact on Canyon County Residents and Community
For the Parma community, Eddy’s tenure represents a steady, stabilizing presence in a small agricultural town. Canyon County’s rural schools often face challenges competing with larger districts across the Treasure Valley and the state, but Parma’s tennis program has consistently punched above its weight.
Eddy credited the local community’s backing as essential to the program’s longevity. “Our Parma community has been very supportive both in the wrestling program and the tennis program,” he said.
Stories like Eddy’s are a reminder that Canyon County produces standout coaches and student-athletes at every level. For more on what is happening across the region, visit Idaho News for statewide coverage of Idaho sports, schools, and communities.
What Comes Next
With 24 state titles now to his name and no indication he plans to step away, Eddy continues to shape the lives of Parma’s young athletes. For families in Canyon County looking to support local school sports programs, attending events at Parma High School and other area schools remains one of the most direct ways to invest in the next generation of Idaho athletes and community leaders.